Adult Sign Language Classes
2008 - 2009 School Year
Adult sign language classes at Perkins are offered twice a year, during the fall and spring. All classes are taught in Signed English and meet once a week for two hours. Twelve-week sessions begin mid-September and are repeated again beginning late January. Classes are open to the community and anyone age 16 or over may register for a class.
Fall 2008 Sign Language classes will begin the week of September 22, 2008. Registration for classes is open until September 19, 2008. Classes are for adults and are offered at no cost to Perkins staff members and volunteers, ELP participants, as well as parents of children currently enrolled in the Deafblind Program. Tuition is $50.00 for all others. All classes are taught in Signed English and meet once a week for twelve sessions. There are no classes on the Columbus Day Monday holiday.
For registration materials call 617-924-3444, ext. 8317.
Sign language courses for the spring 2009 semester will begin at the end of January. Registration information and schedule will be available after January 6, 2009 on the website and by calling 617-924-3434, ext. 8317.
Fall 2008 Course Schedules
Level One: includes approximately 500 word vocabulary, introduction to fingerspelling and development of basic sign language skills.
| DAY | TIME | TEACHER | START DATE |
| Tuesdays | 10 a.m. - 12 noon | Derm Keohane | September 23 |
| Mondays | 3:30-5:30 p.m. | Cheryl Hovsepian | September 22 |
| Mondays | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Cheryl Hovsepian | September 22 |
Level Two: includes approximately 500 word vocabulary, expansion of fingerspelling and sign language skills. (Prerequisite: successful completion of a level one course). One two-hour session per week.
| DAY | TIME | TEACHER | START DATE |
| Tuesday | 3:30-5:30 p.m. | Derm Keohane | September 23 |
We typically offer two levels of sign language courses:
Level One
Signed English: large group class conducted in voice and sign language with a strong emphasis on expressive skills.
- Approximately 500 word basic vocabulary
- The manual alphabet
- Numbers 1-20
- Ability to read and fingerspell words up to 5 letters at a slow pace
- Ability to expressively communicate in sign language and fingerspelling a short story up to 5 sentences.
- Ability to obtain the main idea from a signed sequence of 3-4 sentences.
Level Two
Signed English: large group class conducted in voice and sign language with a strong emphasis on receptive skills.
- Approximately (additional) 500 word vocabulary
- Fluency with the manual alphabet
- Numbers 1-100
- Ability to fingerspell words comfortably
- Ability to expressively communicate a paragraph in sign language and fingerspelling
- Ability to obtain the main idea from a signed story and answer specific questions about the story
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Level One or equivalent